China reports record trade surplus of $1.189 trn in 2025

China’s customs authorities have reported a record trade surplus of $1.189 trillion last year, led by exports to non-US markets. It broke the trillion-dollar ceiling for the first time in November last year.

Chinese manufacturers tried to tackle sustained pressure from the Donald Trump administration by shifting focus from the US market to Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America.

“With more diversified trading partners, (China’s) ability to withstand risks has been significantly enhanced,” Wang Jun, a vice-minister at China’s customs administration told a press briefing.

China has reported a record trade surplus of $1.189 trillion in 2025, led by exports to non-US markets.
It broke the trillion-dollar ceiling for the first time in November.
China’s exports to the US fell by 20 per cent YoY in dollar terms last year, while imports from there were down by 14.6 per cent YoY.
Exports to Africa jumped by 25.8 per cent and those to the ASEAN bloc rose by 13.4 per cent YoY.

Exports from China grew by 6.6 per cent in value terms year on year (YoY) in December compared with a 5.9-per cent YoY increase in November. Imports were up by 5.7 per cent YoY after a 1.9-per cent YoY bump the month earlier.

The economy’s monthly trade surpluses exceeded $100 billion seven times last year.

China’s exports to the US fell by 20 per cent YoY in dollar terms last year, while imports from there were down by 14.6 per cent YoY. Exports to Africa jumped by 25.8 per cent YoY and those to the ASEAN bloc of Southeast Asian nations up by 13.4 per cent YoY. EU-bound shipments grew by 8.4 per cent last year, according to media reports from China.

US saw its trade deficit shrink to $1.7 trillion last year, mostly due to the higher tariffs introduced on imports by Trump last year.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)